Securing device for loud speaker baffles



1, T964 H. J. JUNK 3,159,234

SECURING "DEVICE FOR LOUD SPEKEZR BAFELES Filed NOM. x15., .1.962 Y2 :Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 1, 1964 H; JUNK 3,159,234

sEcuEING DEVICE EUR LOUD SPEAKER EAFEEES Filed Nov. l5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /A/VENTOR: HE/N/Q/CH J. JUNK,

HT ORA/EVS United States Patent O 3,159,234 SECURWG DEVICE FOR LGUD SPEAKER BAFFLES Heinrich J. llink, Maplewood, Mo., assigner to Lowell Manufacturing Company, Maplewood, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Nov. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 237,928 Claims. (Cl. lol-3l) This invention relates to improvements in loud speaking baffles and, in particular, is concerned with means for securing a loud speaker to such baille and securing the combination loud speaker and baille to a supporting surface.

ln the past, loud speakers have been conventionally afllxed to bailies by means of screws or nuts and bolts, and loud speaker and baille combinations in turn, when mounted together, have been connected to a supporting surface such as a ceiling or a wall by further screws or nuts and bolts. In such afiixation it will be readily understood that various sized screws or nuts and bolts are employed, and that their ailixation takes -a considerable length of time. Further, there has been the inconvenience of mixing the screws or nuts and bolts in the wrong sizes or dropping them or losing them, all of which has made the securing of the units together a matter of some diiliculty.

By means of this invention there has been provided a very simple and rapid means for mounting a loud speaker to a baille, and, in turn, mounting the combined baille and loud speaker upon a wall or ceiling surface. Essentially, the loud speaker may be mounted upon the baille by means of a friction clip having a pair of walls connected at one end and tapering towards one another to an open mouth at the other end, which can be slipped over a vertical mounting member upon the baille with a ilange which presses down a portion of the speaker so that it bears against the baffle and cannot be removed. A multiplicity of these clips are employed and they may be slipped on and oil with a simple pry tool, `or even by hand, in a matter of seconds.

When so motuited together, the loud speaker and the baille can be supported upon a lwall surface or ceiling through a simple securing means. This securing means comprises a pair of still flexible finger elements which may be pressed together when mounted upon the interior of the baille in such a manner that they can be inserted through an `anchor plate disposed Within an opening in the supporting surface. When so inserted in the opening, the retaining lingers are released and they spread apart, due to `biasing action and automatically draw the speaker and `baille up to firm and flush engagement with the wall surface.

The securing means employed in this invention are simple, yet rugged and can be employed by relatively unskilled workmen. The cost is low and the entire assembly can take place in a mattei' of seconds.

The above features are objects of this invention and further objects lwill be apparent in the detailed description which follows and will be other-wise obvious to those skilled in the art.

For the purpose ofillustration, there is shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment ofthe invention. It is to be understood that these drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and that the inventionl connectedto the baille.

3,159,234 Patented Dec. l., 1954 lCe 1 but` with the loud speaker mounted upon the baille and with the retaining spring-like lingers mounted upon the baille;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3 showing the mounting of the retaining spring lingers;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged View in section taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 showing the structure of the retaining fastener for the loud speaker;

FIGURE 6 is a view showing the loud speaker and the baille in elevation taken through a section of a supporting surface showing the mounting arrangement;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken similarly to FIGURE 6 but showing the loud speaker and baille partially removed but in suspended position from the surface so that a workman may work inside the assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a View in section taken onthe line 8--8 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a View taken in section on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 7; and f FIGURE l0 is a perspective View of the baille retaining fastener clip.

Referring to FIGURESl, 3 and 6, the baille of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 2li, the loud speaker is indicated by the reference numeral 22, and the supporting wall surface is indicated by the reference numeral 24. A protective can Ztlis mounted within an opening in the wall surface within which the loud speaker land baillek are mounted as shown in FIG- URE 6. f

rThe baille 20, as shown in FIGURE l, has a plurality of L-shaped plates 28 mounted upon it. These plates have a vertical member tlextending upwardly, which receives a fastening clip-element 32, best shown in FIGURE l0. The fastening clip element has a U-shaped portion 34 comprised of two legs or wall elements 36 and 3S, which are bent in slightly toward one another ,at the bottom and taper towards an open mouth 39 so that when held apar-t to parallel relationship they are biased inwardly, due to the metallic construction of these fasteners, although it will 'be understood that other materials of construction having a degree of ilexibility may be employed. The retainer or fastener 32 also has a flange portion et) which is adapted to bear against a portion, such as a flange 42, of the loud speaker when the retainer is mounted over the vertical member il@ in the relationship shown in FIG- URE 5.

The means for mounting the baffle to the supporting surface is best shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6 through 9. A torsion spring, generally indicated by the reference numeral 46, is mounted upon an L-shaped plate 4S The L-shaped plate has a vertical section 50 provided with a hook 52. The torsion spring 46 .has a coil section 54 of several coils with one of the coils being hooked underneath ythe hook element 52, as shown iny FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, so thatthe spring is retained by this arrangement. The spring further has two finger members 56 and 5S which extend oppositely from one another, but may be flexed toward one another in the direction of the arrows shown inFIGURE 4. The springs 56and 58 have, respectively, a detent portion 60 and 62,'and a hook portion 64 and 66 for a purpose later to appear.

The third part of the means for securing the baille to the wall surface comprises an L-shaped anchor plate mounted upon the interior of the protective can 26 as best shown in FIGURE 6. A pair of these may be employed as shown in this drawing and it will be noted that, as appears therein and in FIGURES 7-9, a horizontal flange portion of the anchor, designated by reference numeral 72, is provided with an elongated slot 74 3 which receives the finger elements when they are inserted therethrough.

USE

The baille shown in FIGURE l may be very simply employed for the mounting of the load speaker to 1t. The loud speaker is placed over the baille in central registry position as shown in FIGURES 3 and 6, and, after this has been done, the open mouth 39 of a fastener clip 32 is placed over the vertical member 30 mounted upon the baille. The fastener is worked downwardly over the vertical member to the relationship shown in FIG- URE S until the flange portion 40 bears over the flange portion of the loud speaker to hold the loud speaker against the baille. A multiplicity of these fastener or retainer clip elements are simply employed and the loud speaker is thereby fastened to the baille in a matter of seconds.

When the loud speaker has been so fastened to the baille, the torsion spring 46 may be mounted upon the section Sil of the L-shaped plate. The coil spring sections 54 are spread apart and placed over the vertical member and one coil lis mo-ved downwardly over the hook 52 until it is engaged with it in the relationship shown in FIGURES 4 and 6. In this manner the torsion spring is aillxed to the baille.

When the baille and mounted loud speaker are desired to be supported to a wall surface and the protective can, shown in FIGURES 6 through 9, the retaining ilnger members 56 and 58 are moved toward one another in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGURE 4. When this relationship has been established, and the hooked ends 64 and 66 are close to one another, they are inserted through the slots 74 in the anchor plate 70, much as in the fashion shown in FIGURE 9. In the position shown in FIGURE 9, prior to full engagement of the baille against the wall surface, the detent portions 6i) and 62 of the iinger members and the hooked ends 64 and 66 will retain the baille in spaced position with respect to the supporting wall surface. In this fashion a workman may do any wiring required within the loud speaker or the protective can enclosure for connecting necessary leads and the like.

When the aforementioned lead work has been cornpleted, the hooked in members of the fingers may be moved toward one -another and the operator grasping the ilnger members may move them upwardly slightly, and, after withdrawing his hands, may move the baille upwardly by pushing against the bottom. It will be understood, that the finger members are biased, looking at the drawing in FIGURE 8, away from one another so that the tendency of the baille is to rise upwardly into snug and flush engagement against the surface of the wall. Since the linger members of the torsion spring are quite strong and relatively stiff, they will hold the baille in secure engagement due to the engagement of the lingers against the surfaces of the slot, as shown in the relationship of FIGURE 8.

When the baille and loud speaker are desired to be removed for work on the loudspeaker, should this be required, the baille can very simply be removed by merely drawing it downwardly fromrthe relationship shown in FIGURE 8. This can be done by inserting a pry tool between the baille and the wall surface, or the like, and the baille may be drawn downwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 9 Where the hooked ends and detent engage the walls defining the slot within which the fingers are inserted. In this manner the baille may be partially removed or it will be understood that it can be entirely removed by bending the fingers further together and removing the entire unit all in a matter of seconds without the requirement of any screwdrivers, Wrenches, or the like.

Various changes and modiiications may be made within this invention as will be readily apparent to those CFI skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as deiined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A loud speaker baille having a sound outlet comprising a central perforate section, means for supporting a loud speaker over the sound outlet on an imperforate section of the baille surrounding said sound outlet, and means for connecting said baille to a supporting surface, said loud speaker supporting means comprising a vertical member connected to the baille land receiving in frictional relationship a removable fastening element, said removable fastening element having a U-shaped cross-section and being comprised of a pair of spring-like legs spaced from one another and tapering towards an open mouth, said fastening element being receivable over the vertical member with said legs being biased against the sides of said member and a ilange connected to said fastening element adapted to overlie and bear against a flanged por-tion of the loud speaker and maintain it against the baille.

2. A loud speaker baille having a sound outlet comprising a central perforate section, means for supporting a loud speaker over the sound outlet on an imperforate section of the baille surrounding said sound outlet, and means for connecting said baille to va supporting surface, said loud speaker supporting means comprising a vertical member connected to the baille and receiving in frictional relationship a removable fastening element having a ilange adapted to overlie and bear against a ilanged portion of the loud speaker Iand maintain it against the baille, said connecting means comprising a pair of stiff spring-like retaining lingers anchored to the inside of said baille adjacent one another and biased to extend in opposite directions in a rest position, said fingers in the operated condition being ilexed toward one another and inserted through openings in anchor plate means disposed in ilxed relation with respect to said supporting surface, in which position -they `are biased toward their rest position to draw the baille tightly against said supporting surface.

3. A loud speaker baille having a sound outlet cornprising a central perforate section, means for supporting a loud speaker over the sound outlet on an imperforate section of the baille surrounding said sound outlet, and means .for connecting said baille to a supporting loud speaker and means for connecting said baille to a supporting surface, said loud speaker supporting means comprising a vertical member connected to the baille and receiving in frictional relationship a removable fastening element, said removable fastening element having a U- shaped cross-section and being comprised of a pair of spring-like legs spaced from one another and tapering towards an open mouth, said fastening element being receivable over the vertical member with said legs being biased against the sides of said member and a flange connected to said fastening element adapted to overlie and bear against a flanged portion of the loud speaker and maintain it against the baille, said connecting means cornprising a pair of still spring-like retaining fingers anchored to the inside of said baille adjacent one another and extending in opposite directions in a rest position, said lingers in the operated condition being ilexed toward one another and inserted through openings in an anchor plate means disposed in fixed relation with respect to said supporting surface, in which position they are biased toward their rest position to draw the baille tightly against said supporting surface.

4. A loud speaker baille having a sound outlet comprising a central perforate section, means for supporting a loud speaker over the sound outlet on an imperforate section of the baille surrounding said sound outlet, and means for connecting said baille to a supporting surface, said loud speaker supporting means comprising a vertical member connected to the baille and receiving in frictional relationship a removable fastening element having a flange adapted to overlie and bear against a flanged portion of the loud speaker and maintain it against the baie, said connecting means comprising a pair of stili spring-like retaining fingers anchored to the inside of said baille adjacent one another land extending in opposite directions in a yrest position, said fingers in `the operated condition being flexed toward one another and inserted through openings invnn anchor plate means disposed in fixed relation with respect to said supporting surface, in which position theyare biased toward their rest position to draw the baffle tightly against said supporting surface,

said fingers having retaining means on their ends adapted to engage the sides of the opening in the anchor plate whereby said baie may be partially Withdrawn from the supporting surface and suspended from it in spaced relation.

5. A loud speaker baiie having a sound outiet comprising a central perforate section, means for supporting a loud speaker over the sound outlet on an imperforate section of the bailie surrounding said sound outlet, and means kfor connecting said baie to a supporting loud speaker and means for connecting said battle -to a supporting surface, said loud speaker supporting means comprising a vertical member connected to the bafe and receiving in frictional relationship a removable fasten ing element, said removable fastening element having a U-shaped cross-section and being comprised of 'a pair of spring-like legs spaced from one another and tapering towards an open mouth, said fastening element being receivable over the vertical member with said legs being biased against the sides of said member 'and a flange connected to/said fastening element adapted to overlie and bear against a flanged portion of the loud speaker v toward their rest position to draw the baffle tightly against said supporting surface, ysaid iingers having retaining means on their ends adapted to engage the sides of the opening in the Ianchor plate whereby said bafiie may be partially withdrawn from the supporting surface and suspended from it in spaced relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,213,234 VTinnerman Sept. 3, 1940 2,342,542 Hoofer Feb. 22, 1944 2,445,606 Davis July 20, 1948 2,821,260 Shaier Jan. 28, 1958 2,913,067 Johnston Nov. 17, 1959 Sowinski Oct. 23, 1962 

1. A LOUD SPEAKER BAFFLE HAVING A SOUND OUTLET COMPRISING A CENTRAL PERFORATE SECTION, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A LOUD SPEAKER OVER THE SOUND OUTLET ON AN IMPERFORATE SECTION OF THE BAFFLE SURROUNDING SAID SOUND OUTLET, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID BAFFLE TO A SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID LOUD SPEAKER SUPPORTING MEANS COMPRISING A VERTICAL MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE BAFFLE AND RECEIVING IN FRICTIONAL RELATIONSHIP A REMOVABLE FASTENING ELEMENT, SAID REMOVABLE FASTENING ELEMENT HAVING A U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION AND BEING COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF SPRING-LIKE LEGS SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AND TAPERING TOWARDS AN OPEN MOUTH, SAID FASTENING ELEMENT BEING RECEIVABLE OVER THE VERTICAL MEMBER WITH SAID LEGS BEING BIASED AGAINST THE SIDES OF SAID MEMBER AND A FLANGE CONNECTED TO SAID FASTENING ELEMENT ADAPTED TO OVERLIE AND BEAR AGAINST A FLANGED PORTION OF THE LOUD SPEAKER AND MAINTAIN IT AGAINST THE BAFFLE. 